š²š½ DĆa de Muertos - 11.03.25
DĆa de Los Muertos:
āThis day unites us with the souls we hold dear.ā
āAltars bring together the living and the departed in harmony.ā
āThis day is a celebration of connection, not separation.ā
These days surrounding Dia de Muertos have many layers. The culture, and colors, the celebration, and emotionā¦ thereās an industry behind it and it appears to be evolving.
I have my own perspectives on death and the celebration of lifeā¦ and on a surface level of observing as an āoutsider,ā I love this time, this concept, and I am gaining appreciation of the depth it brings to me.
I was in Patzcuero last year and it was my first experience of Dia de Muertos. All was exciting and interestingā¦ and on a novelty level I was blown away by the scale of the production of a day(s) to connect with the deceased.
This year Iām in a different state of mindā¦ some because of the Mexican culture I have been living next to and what Iāve experienced sinceā¦ but mostly because Iām in a grief process of my own and the heaviness is affecting my perceptions.
A friend of mine told me I have a āsad auraā and shouldnāt be alone for the weekend. She wasnāt aware of my circumstance but I didnāt argue because it was true. She has a spare room in Cuernavacaā¦ so Cuernavaca is where I ended up.
I was invited to a gathering for a neighbor. There was an ofrenda for a lost grandfather and a tragic end (and sad life story) for a son. There were prayers, and quiet shuffling, people were kind and open to my presence, we lit candlesā¦ and always with this lovely cultureā¦ there is much food. Although it had its beauty and elements of celebrationā¦ it was somberā¦ and I could sense unresolved issues. I was told some background laterā¦ and my intuative feelings were validated.
Itās Nov 1, Saturday, DĆa de los Angelitos, which honors the souls of deceased children, and tragic deaths. I went to TepoztlĆ”n in the evening. Itās a small pueblo mĆ”gico 15 minutes away from Cuernavaca. A visit to the cemetery was peacefulā¦ itās not the Dia de Muertos nightā¦ so there are fewer peopleā¦ and againā¦ beautifulā¦ but austere. And the sullen like sullen company.
I donāt know the full storyā¦ but the Mexican culture has adopted the American version of Halloweenā¦ so there are children, and adultsā¦ in costume (many contemporary popular culture costumes) ā¦ parading around and collecting candy.
Why not? Halloween is funā¦ unless youāre an armchair screamer of gentrification and believe that cultural influences should be banned across borders. Like a friend of my friend here in Mexicoā¦ that cries gentrification in every directionā¦ while sitting at Starbucks, wearing Chuck Taylor converse, Leviās jeans, and an Apple Watchā¦ (true story)ā¦ hating on everything Americanā¦ but really only wants cheap rent in a cool neighborhood (solely for himself).
Anyways, I witnessed many people, many happy people, Friday through Sunday wearing Halloween costumesā¦ and Iād rather feel the happiness from thatā¦ than hear perpetual complainingā¦ or the feeling of overwhelming loss. So I applaud.
On Sundayā¦ the official day of Dia de Muertosā¦ I returned to CDMX and was content to patrol the dayā¦ and lifeā¦ alone. I sat in a small hamburger restaurant near my apartmentā¦ waiting for the sun to setā¦ writing a letter to a dear friendā¦ reflecting my experiences. I observed a table in front of me with a family of three. Two young adults and a motherā¦ I sensed loss, I could sense their somber mood, there was an air of obligationā¦ like one of lifeās necessary obligationsā¦ we do it becauseā¦ because its required, not because we want toā¦ not because we like it.
Likeā¦ the obligation of death. It is requiredā¦ whether we like it or not. Soā¦ itās important how we live. And grief and joy are part of it allā¦ and love can be painfulā¦ but at sometime, somewhereā¦ someone will be lighting a candle for you.
#CDMXlife
#DiaDeMuertos
#hamburgertherapy
š²š½šāÆļøā ļøš„°
